Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson could cash in as free agent next winter

Newark Star-Ledger | Feb 12

On Monday afternoon, Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson said an eminently sensible thing. He would be a fool, he said, not to have interest in signing a long-term extension with the team before he reaches free agency after this season.

But he would also be a fool to accept any sort of team-friendly deal. Of course, the Yankees appear to have little interest in making such an offer. They remain committed to reducing their payroll below $189 million before 2014. That would likely require cutting ties with Granderson, who figures to cash in this offseason, even after a funky, head-scratching 2012 campaign.

We can’t say that with certainty, of course, but consider the deals doled out to four our center fielders this offseason: B.J. Upton (five years, $75.25 million), Shane Victorino (three years, $39 million), Angel Pagan (four years, $45 million) and, now, Michael Bourn (a reported four years, $48 million). We’ll leave Josh Hamilton (five years, $125 million) out of the discussion, out of deference to his unique situation.

So take that quartet. Then compare Granderson to them. He comes out looking quite strong. Here’s a few of their meaningful statistics since 2010.